SLO County campgrounds are closed due to coronavirus. What about beaches, parks and trails?
Those looking for outdoor adventures can access local parks, beaches and natural areas during San Luis Obispo County’s shelter-at home-order.
But even as some existing camping reservations are being honored, no reservations for campgrounds are currently being taken at local campsites around San Luis Obispo County.
California State Parks, which includes locations in Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, has “temporarily closed all campgrounds in the state park system to support state and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).”
State parks in San Luis Obispo County include: Montaña de Oro State Park near Los Osos, Morro Bay State Park, Hearst San Simeon State Park and Cayucos State Beach.
Campers who checked in before the closure took effect “will be allowed to stay for the duration of their reservations,” Dan Falat, superintendent of the state park district that includes those campgrounds, said Friday. “But there’ll be no more re-ups of those reservations.”
Once the campgrounds are empty, they will be closed, he said.
Camping reservation holders will be contacted through email for refunds, State Parks noted on its website.
People still can enjoy the state park experience, Falat said. “We want people to take the opportunity to go outside, exercise, get some fresh air and just get away from it for a little bit, as long as they maintain social distancing.”
He noted that state parks in San Luis Obispo County appear to be busy, even as area residents are sheltering in place.
Falat went to Harmony Headlands State Park near Cayucos on Thursday, he said, “and there was almost a full parking lot. People were going out by themselves, in pairs and with family members.”
“Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing,” according to a state parks notice. “Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.”
SLO County parks, Port San Luis remain open
San Luis Obispo County’s parks system issued a similar notice about suspending reservations, though it’s honoring existing reservations.
“In order to further reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, all campgrounds will be closed until further notice to ensure public health and safety,” a San Luis Obispo County Parks sign posted in Oceano read. “Existing campground reservations will be honored although no new reservations will be allowed.”
The county’s parks include Santa Margarita Lake Recreational Area, Lopez Lake Recreational Area east of Arroyo Grande and El Chorro Regional Park just north of San Luis Obispo.
At Port San Luis Harbor District in Avila Beach, harbor manager Andrea Lueker said that the agency is taking no new reservations but honoring existing reservations that were previously booked.
Lueker said the agency has removed fire rings used for bonfires and made sure maintain social distancing by limiting numbers of people it takes through water taxi services.
She said the public restrooms remain open and will continue to be available.
“I think agencies across the county are struggling to offer services and comply with the county’s shelter-at-home order, which allows for certain activities like going to beach and golfing,” Lueker said. “We’re very happy people don’t have to stay at home all the time. But we hope people do keep social distance in mind in all of the areas they’re allowed to go.”
Like other public agencies, Port San Luis has closed its office to maintain social distancing. But people can call in to staff members or email with any questions or need to communicate.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
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